A lot changed in 2009. The United States got its first black president. Sonia Sotomayor became the first Latina on the Supreme Court. The H1N1 craze came and went. And the King of Pop left the building.

The Lab, however, endured.

For the 19th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever remained the nation's most registered breed, with Ohio echoing that popularity.

However, could the Lab's time on top be limited?

For the first time in more than three decades, the German Shepherd knocked the Yorkshire Terrier out of the No. 2 spot.

Last year's list otherwise stayed the same as 2008's:

1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle

The Shepherd also made a real push in Cleveland. And who knew the Bulldog was gaining steam?

1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd
(Held by the Golden Retriever in '08)
3. Boxer
4. Bulldog
(Held by the German Shepherd in '08)
5. Golden Retriever/Yorkshire Terrier tie
(Held by the Yorkshire Terrier in '08)

-- Sandra M. Klepach, SKlepach@News-Herald.com